I recently had the opportunity to go shopping at SCRAPBOOK ISLAND in Los Gatos, CA which is about 1 hour south of San Francisco. In October 2014, the store relocated here from their smaller storefront about 15 minutes away in San Jose.

The relocation must be a good sign, right? According to their blog, the new store has more classroom space. It was very generous, with the entire back of the store full of large tables with plenty of work room. Sorry, I didn’t get any photos of it because there were 2 scrappers working back there and I didn’t have permission to take their photo.

Here are some pictures I took with my new iPhone 6+. I hope they’re a bit better quality than the ones I’ve been posting for the last 3 years with my little ol’ iPhone 4! Although there’s only so much you can do with natural light indoors when you’re trying to be Surreptitious Scrapper and not use a flash ;)

Valentine’s display

St. Patrick’s Day display

Sale and Clearance table

Umm, what’s the camera equivalent of a butt dial?

Love how these products are displayed

WRMK albums in pretty colors!

Cardstock Row

Ribbons galore in ROYGBIV

Pretty, shabby chic, colorful store

Overall, I thought it was a great store. As I wandered around for about 20 minutes, near the end a salesperson stopped by to ask if I needed help finding anything. She smiled and looked me right in the eye, and didn’t kind of take off before I even answered (like some salespeople do). She seemed to genuinely care that I was finding what I needed, so that was nice.

It did get a little confusing at check-out because there were 2 checkers at 1 counter, and 1 took a person from the opposite line so I wasn’t really sure when it was my turn. The prices were pretty much retail as far as I could tell. The store was mostly organized by theme which, being a “sort by brand name” scrapper, isn’t my favorite. However, if I owned a store, I’d probably organize the same way as that’s how most scrappers probably shop.

There was a nice array of newer merchandise and I loved the way they showcased 2 upcoming holidays – Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day – in such pretty displays right by the front door. I’ll bet that’s wonderful for their “regulars” so they don’t have to go scoping out the entire store for new/current stuff. The overall look of the store was kind of shabby chic and you can tell they definitely took the time to decorate and give it a cohesive look.

As I left the store with friends and waited out front to meet up with some other friends, the owner (or who I assume was the owner) came out to chat with us. She was extremely friendly and shared a lot of details about their upcoming events and guests. Layle Koncar from Simple Stories is going to be there on February 21/22, 2015. I was so excited because I love me some Layle and she’s going to do a class on my favorite new line from the last CHA called “I Am”!

But when I checked my dayplanner, I realized I have can’t-break-em plans that weekend. SMH. Oh well, maybe she’ll come back another time (hint, hint, Layle!).

So, back to the store owner . . . she seemed really interested in our suggestions for who we’d like to see at her store – by overwhelming majority, it was Ali Edwards and I think she was going to reach out to her.

I really enjoyed Scrapbook Island LSS. I hope you get a chance to visit them sometime. I just heard that the Hobby Lobby in nearby Morgan Hill is closed {which I usually try to stop at when I’m in the area but I was driving through on Sunday when they’re closed}. While I hope they’re just relocating, if they did indeed close, I hope that means more business for Scrapbook Island. We need to keep our few great LSS’s in business!! Mama needs an in-person scrapbook supply fix once in a while other than Michaels, ya’ feel me?

Oh, did I forget to show you my spoils??!!?? What the hay?? Here you go:

My haul from Scrapbook Island LSS

I couldn’t believe I got out of there for around $30. It was a miracle; they had so many great things but I tried to be a good girl :)

Have a great week!

ETA 02-21-15: A sweet friend of this blog alerted the owner of Scrapbook Island to my blog post. Her name (the owner/lady we spoke to) is Laurie Jimenez and she was very happy about the review. Great job, Laurie!

While on Scrapbook Island’s Facebook page, I saw this photo of their classroom from a class they held last night:

Pretty cool, huh?

ETA 03-28-15: Make sure and check out Jessie’s AWESOME class review down in Comments! It’s full of great info about the Simple Stories “I Am” and “Say Cheese II” classes she took with LAYLE KONCAR. Thanks Jessie – you rock!

I was recently traveling in Arizona and had the opportunity to visit two local scrapbook stores (LSS). This is a real treat since the closest LSS to my home is 2 hours away. So I warn you now, there are LOTS of photos and I have a LOT to say!! I’ll have to do 2 blog posts. What?! I’m wordy! Sheesh.

The first scrapbook store I visited in the Phoenix area was “Scrapbooks Etc.” in Mesa, AZ . . . or as it’s now called, “Etc. Scrapbooks, Fabric & More”. The name change appears to be because they’ve added fabrics to about 1/3 of the store. I’m no sewist but I think that’s a brilliant move! Way to stay viable, AZ scrap store owners!

I’m just gonna’ say from the beginning: I loved this store! It’s one of the biggest and best I’ve ever been to. They had loads of current stuff, I liked the way the store was laid out, and they had lots to offer the customer.

Yep, I managed to show up on their Scrapbook Yard Sale day – woot! It started at 10am so I got there about 9:45. I was greeted by a super long line outside the store. I texted DH at 9:48: “Garage sale starts at 10. There’s about 50 women in line. Hold my earrings. Mama might need to throw down!” He cheered me on: “They got nothin’ on u.”

Just kidding, just kidding. I got back in my car, drove across the street, and got a Starbucks. I’m not the aggressive type {even with a latte’ under my belt}.

The yard sale was held in the classroom and here is what it looked like {faces have been blurred to protect the guilty . . . er, innocent}:

Here’s a sample of the goodies to be found at the Scrapbooks Etc. garage sale – a Simple Stories “Summer Fresh” pack for $7. I think that 6×6 pad alone sells for $6, so that’s a nice deal :)

I grabbed a few packs of things and literally had to escape that room so I could find a clear surface to check out the goods. And where did I end up!?!? At the Scrapbooks Etc. sale/clearance table in the back of the store. Where I found more deals. Sheesh. It’s like too much of a good thing, I tell ya’!

One thing from the garage sale I held onto was a BASIC GREY “BLUSH” collection pack. Here’s the tag sheet from the collection kit – “Blush” is SO yummy!

I think it was $7-8 and only missing a few sheets. Again, a good deal but it didn’t make the final cut in favor of NEW scrappy stuff!! I don’t get to an LSS but a few times a year so I didn’t want to miss the chance to get some newer things when I could actually see them in person. Yes, it’s a luxury these days :(

Okay, so if you’re a BAZZILL Babe like I am, you’ll want to sit down for this. Or at least hold onto a hand rail or something. Ready?? I give you. THE GREAT WALL OF BAZZILLLLLLL!!!!

Isn’t all that color and texture and paper goodness so PURDY??? I almost swallowed my tongue! GULP!

I can’t find it now but I swore I read earlier that the husband of the Scrapbooks Etc. owner owns (or works for?) Bazzill Basics. Which would make sense judging by their huge selection of Bazzill cardstock and other Bazzill papers.

Speaking of pretty colors, I just had to take a pic of all those pretty WRMK album colors all in a row. Gorge!

Scrapbooks Etc. had most products arranged by manufacturer which is how I prefer to shop. Here’s some new Dear Lizzy and Amy Tan, both by American Crafts:

I *so* wanted this Amy Tan “Mixtapes” pack but that price took up too much of my budget.

You’re a scrapper, you get it, right? You stand there in the store aisle, fondling the “$11 for 6 bitty rolls of washi tape” and have this internal conversation:

“You should get this. It’s sooper dooper cute!”
“I know, but ELEVEN DOLLARS! And the tapes are so skinny!”
“Yes, yes, but that’s what makes them so preciously KYUTE!”
“Precious smeshious, do you know how much PAPER I could buy with $11?”
“Well. Okay. You do have a good point there. Put them back.”
“But but but! But I want the cute little skinny Amy Tan washi! And if I buy it online, I have to pay $92 shipping on $11 worth of 6 skinny rolls of washi tape!”
“GUUUURRRLLL. Put. The washi tape. Back. NOW.
“(Kicking ground). Fine. It’s back. Jeez.”

Yeah, I put the washi tape back. But it was PAINFUL, I tell ya’!

These Dear Lizzy mini flair badges were very hard to pass up, too. Just darling.

They had a great selection of this new new Basic Grey:

One thing I loved was the little product vignettes they have around the store. They make very appealing displays with new products that make you want to buy things. Wicked smart! Here are just 2 but there were several more:

Colorful Doodlebug Goodness:

All these little packs of puffy arrows, chevrons, and punctuation were KILLIN’ me, Smalls. I very much coveted that shades of teal blue one in the middle.

But at $5 a pack, I had to pass :( You don’t want to hear the conversation-with-self I had about THAT! I almost socked myself in the jaw right then and there. But the Good Angel won. Again.

Here’s a shot of the fabric side of the store. They seemed pretty busy and I could hear the counter person answering lots of customer questions. Seems like a great set-up.

Teresa Collins “Happy” which is so much prettier in person than online.

Teresa Collins “Save the Date” which, me being married for so long, I didn’t think I’d be interested in. But, man, the colors were so pretty. I was seriously considering re-engaging and re-marrying my man just so I could use it.

The epoxy/enamel heart down there was callin’ my name. Have I mentioned I LOVE HEARTS?? Yeah, maybe once or thrice.

An entire wall of SIMPLE STORIES. Um, when can I move in, please? Starbucks across the street, rainbows of Bazzill, WRMK, and Doodlebug, AND a Simple Stories neighborhood – what more do I need to sustain life?

KAISERCRAFT is one company I’m not very familiar with but their products sure caught my eye! I ended up with a pack of their 3×4 cards; guess which one? {I’ll reveal in a “Scrapbooks Etc. Haul” post later}.

They also have Project Life Island. See? I never need to go anywhere else :) I’m set.

There was a big Accucut station; a die-cutter’s dream.

October Afternoon . . . squee!!

I think these were garage sale shoppers checking out their loot or deciding what to buy. I totally get it, ladies. Take your time. If I step on you, smack me.

More October Afternoon:

Fancy Pants:

Whole row of Bazzill Basics patterned paper:

Ahh, My Minds Eye rotating racks, I’ve missed you!

So that’s my tour and review of Scrapbooks Etc. in Mesa, Arizona. I highly suggest you visit if you’re in the area. Or in an adjacent state. It’s worth it, LOL. Wonderful store and I hope I’m able to visit many more times in the future!

Stay tuned to see what goodies I bought there!

ETA 03-30-15: Kind of a sad update. I hear from an online friend who was at Scrapbooks Etc. recently that it has shrunk in both size and number of new products since last year when I went. They’ve remodeled the store into a smaller space at the same location and decreased the inventory accordingly. Boo hoo. Still probably a better store than most, though . . .

ETA 07-31-16: Well, I heard a while back that more of Scrapbooks Etc. had been converted to sewing products. Now I hear the sad news that they are closing altogether effective the end of July 2016 :(

Same owners since 1999!

We are sad to say that we are closing the store officially August 6th. July 28th-July 30th the store will be open from 10am-6pm and August 1st-6th the store will be open from 10am-3pm.

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